Great Zhou Empire: Kill Zhao Kuangyin at the beginning

Chapter 532 New Year's Eve of the 2023rd Year of Kaixi (Special thanks to book friend 3057… for the monthly ticket!)

Chai Zongxun sat at the head of the bed and chatted with Zhang Yongde about things during the time of Taizu and Taizong. Seeing that Zhang Yongde was running out of energy, he immediately told him to take care of his health. He sent two imperial doctors to stay at Zhang's house to treat him, and then returned to the palace.

While sitting on the imperial chariot, Chai Zongxun sighed:

"There were people who appreciated the flowers with me at that time, but now only half of them are left."

Time flies. Since I ascended the throne, almost all of my old friends in the court have died!"

He Yao, the chief eunuch in the palace, who was serving beside him, said:
"Your Majesty is truly a benevolent ruler!
Your Majesty's kindness to his subjects is beyond words! Since your Majesty ascended the throne, you have never abused anyone's power and appointed people according to their abilities, which is why our Great Zhou is so prosperous today!

In my opinion, since Your Majesty misses these old ministers, why not follow the example of past wise emperors, such as Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty who established the "Twenty-Eight Generals of the Cloud Terrace" and Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty who established the "Twenty-Four Meritorious Officials of the Lingyan Pavilion" to commemorate them? "

Chai Zongxun said happily:

"Xiao Liuzi, you really understand my intention, this suggestion is very good!

Let me think about it."

After walking for a while, He Yao smiled and said:

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid there is an old friend here who has been waiting to see Your Majesty for a long time!"

Chai Zongxun looked around and saw that they had arrived near the "Bao'en Temple" in the north of the city. He suddenly remembered Mo Zang Liuyun.

It has been more than three months since Chai Zongxun returned to Bian Jing from the Mayan continent. However, due to his busy state affairs, he has never come to the "Baoen Temple" to meet Mo Zang Liuyun.

Chai Zongxun pondered for a moment and said:
"Xiao Liuzi, send someone to bring Fei'er and Zhen'er to Yaoguang Palace.

Let us set out for Baoen Temple now."

The imperial carriage immediately turned north and arrived at the Yaoguang Hall of "Baoen Temple" after more than a quarter of an hour.

The great patriotic master, Mo Zang Liuyun, dressed in a Taoist robe, led his followers to greet him in front of the temple.

After the greeting, Chai Zongxun took Mo Zang Liuyun's hand, walked into the main room of the hall and sat down.

Chai Zongxun looked at Mei Zang Liuyun's figure for a while and said with a smile:
"I haven't seen Aiji for a few years. She looks plumper. I guess she is living a comfortable life in the 'Pao En Temple'."

Mei Zang Liuyun is exactly thirty years old this year. She has an extremely sexy and plump figure, full of the seductive and mature aura of a woman.

Mei Zang Liu Yun smiled and said:

"Your Majesty has braved dangers and hardships for the sake of the country and is on a long expedition. What can I do if I miss you so much?

After Your Majesty personally led the army to fight, I gradually fell in love with reading the Taoist Canon to pass the time. Over the past few years, I have gained a lot, as if I had opened up a new world. "

Chai Zongxun nodded slightly and said:

"No wonder I feel that Ai Ji's temperament has become much more free and easy.

In the past few years, has Aiji been with Fei'er and Zhen'er?"

Mei Zang Liuyun nodded and said:
"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother and the two Empresses are kind and have followed the rules set by Your Majesty to send Fei'er and Zhen'er to Yaoguang Palace every month to live with me for a few days.

Ten days ago, Fei'er and Zhen'er just came to get together."

Chai Zongxun smiled and said:
"That's good.

I have a surprise for you this time."

After they drank for a while, the eunuch brought in the siblings, Chai Jifei and Chai Yingzhen.

After the greetings, Mo Zang Liuyun was extremely happy and hugged his two children in his arms.

Chai Zongxun immediately ordered Xiao Liuzi to present many rare treasures as rewards to Mo Zang Liuyun and his two children, all of which were brought back from the Mayan continent.

The family spent several hours happily together. After dinner and rest, as the night deepened, Chai Zongxun returned to the palace with his two children. Before leaving, Chai Zongxun sighed:
"Aiji, if I arrange this for you, will you hate me in your heart?"

Mei Zang Liu Yun sighed:

"Every sip and every drop of wine is predestined. I have to bear the consequences of my actions. I only regret that I was too greedy for power when I was young and committed many evil deeds.

Your Majesty has shown great kindness in favoring me and allowing me to bear a pair of children for you.

Today, I bear this day with peace of mind."

Chai Zongxun sighed, and under the protection of eunuchs and imperial guards, he boarded the imperial carriage and left.

Five days later, Zhang Yongde died of illness in the "Jizhou Marquis Mansion" in Bian Jing. His son Zhang Cheng submitted a memorial to report the death to Emperor Chai Zongxun.

Chai Zongxun sighed for a long time, and then issued an edict to posthumously confer the title of "Duke of Jizhou" on Zhang Yongde and buried him with the ceremony of a Duke.

His son Zhang Cheng inherited the title of "Marquis of Jizhou".

After discussing with court officials, he posthumously named Zhang Yongde "Wugong" and was known as Duke Zhang Wugong.

Time flies, and the New Year's Eve of the 43rd year of Kaixi (1002) is approaching.

Since Chai Zongxun returned to Beijing, with the promotion of the Ministry of Works, the Mayan crops brought back to the country, such as peppers and corn, began to be promoted among the people of the Great Zhou.

Corn is an annual herbaceous plant of the Poaceae family. Its yield per mu is much higher than that of rice and wheat, and it is particularly suitable for cultivation in mountains and hills.

Once promoted by the government, the people of the Great Zhou Dynasty quickly learned the technology of growing corn, and it was promoted in mountainous areas, which was able to solve the food problem to a large extent.

It can be said that after a few years, when corn planting is promoted in Da Zhou, even if the population doubles, even if large-scale natural disasters occur, Da Zhou will not suffer from famine because of the high-yield corn.

Once the chili peppers were brought back to Bianliang, they quickly became popular in Bianliang under the leadership of Emperor Chai Zongxun, and more and more farmers across the country began to grow chili peppers.

Chili pepper cultivation has the advantages of requiring very little land and having extremely high yields. Its selling price is higher than that of grain, which greatly increases farmers' income.

At the time of Shen on New Year's Eve, the annual imperial "New Year's Eve Banquet" was held in the Huangyi Hall.

Because all the concubines and underage princes and princesses had moved into the new imperial palace, which was ten times larger than the previous imperial city and much farther away.

Many concubines, princes and princesses set out early and rushed to the Huangyi Hall to attend the "New Year's Eve Banquet".

This year's "New Year's Eve Banquet" was attended by more than 3,600 concubines, 72 princes, and 75 princesses.

The princes and princesses who had reached adulthood and established their own palaces had all celebrated the New Year's Eve in their own palaces. Unless summoned by Chai Zongxun, they no longer attended the palace's "New Year's Eve Banquet".

In previous years, the banquets were hosted by Empress Dowager Fu and the two queens. This year, Chai Zongxun returned to the capital, and the atmosphere was very cheerful and warm.

There were more than 300 singing, dancing and acrobatic troupes from all over the country performing in the main hall, while eunuchs outside the hall were constantly setting off fireworks and firecrackers.

Chai Zongxun raised his glass and invited his family to drink a few cups together. Thinking that Maya had been pacified and the corrupt and backward forces in the country had been eliminated, he said happily:

"I will probably never leave the capital to go on an expedition again. My top priority in these years is to vigorously develop the domestic economy, especially the newly acquired territories."

Queen Fu Zhenzhen smiled and said:
"Your Majesty's words are the sound of nature to us! Because Your Majesty will never abandon us and lead the army in person again.

Your Majesty, you don’t know how much I and others have missed you over the past four years!"

The Queen said the fifth morning:
“Yes, your majesty.

In the past few years, although the New Year's Eve banquet in the palace was also prosperous and lively, without His Majesty's absence, I and others always felt that a backbone was missing and we were in a daze.

Now that His Majesty is back, everything is truly alive and happy again!"

(End of this chapter)